DIY Customised Leather Notebook

My previous DIY tutorial for a leather-bound notebook continues to be one of my most-viewed projects (thanks to everyone who’s reading!) – so I thought I’d follow it up with another leather notebook DIY. This one’s a bit simpler, as it starts with a pre-made notebook and just involves customising it.

What you’ll need

A leather notebook (or faux leather)

Leather awl

Waxed thread

What to do

Choose what you’re going to write or draw. Initials? A quote? Geometric patterns?

Sketch the shape onto the notebook, by making faint dots spaced approximately 1cm apart

When you’re happy with the design, punch holes through the faint dots using an awl

Feed the waxed thread through the holes, one by one until the pattern is complete

Tie off any loose ends on the inside of the notebook

This a pretty simple, but satisfyingly effective, way to personalise a plain notebook. It would make a great gift, or just something a little quirky to use at work!

About me

Mike is the owner and founder of The Crafty Gentleman, a website aimed at encouraging men into the world of crafts. He loves nothing more than an afternoon spent crafting, with a cup of tea and some good tunes in the background.